The European Commission is about to end its investigation into the proposed joint venture between Australian iron ore miners BHP Billiton PLC (BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd. (RTP), a spokeswoman said Friday.

"The preliminary investigation started in January is coming to an end," said Amelia Torres, spokeswoman for Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia. The commission, the European Union's antitrust body, is "in the process of informing the parties about our findings," she explained.

-By Alessandro Torello, Dow Jones Newswires; +32 2 741 14 88; alessandro.torello@dowjones.com